I'm disconnecting the windlass brake.

[ash2020]

Hi all. As mentioned in another post, I have an old South Pacific windlass which is still limping along each season. It wouldn't start this time so I've stripped it down and found that the electric brake on the back end was corroded and jammed on. I'm not going to attempt to get a spare as it's pre-2006.
My question is - is there any reason why I shouldn't disconnect the brake completely? The motor is working nicely, in both directions.
It's so highly geared that the chain would never rotate it and anyway, once it's either down or all in, the chain will be locked off.
I'm assuming that the brake is for safety so that it stops dead when power is removed. However, it certainly stops pretty instantly when it's switched off, without the brake.
Any other reasons for having the brake?

 

[Oily Rag]

I have a vertical SouthPacific. No problems so far, but I have used their website to download a parts list and exploded view of the box. Also, I think a year or so ago, I emailed them and got a quick reply.

Sorry, but I can't comment on whether the brake is really needed.
Good luck.

 

[Neeves]

In case you forget to lock of the chain.

I recall a member here, about 10 years ago, admitting to having dropped all his rode and a Spade anchor off, I think the Needles, on his was to the Med - slightly embarrassing I imagine - as he had not secured the bitter end. Clutches also slip

Our memories are fallible and deck hands are not the quality they used to be in the past.

Jonathan

 

[Boathook]

Hi all. As mentioned in another post, I have an old South Pacific windlass which is still limping along each season. It wouldn't start this time so I've stripped it down and found that the electric brake on the back end was corroded and jammed on. I'm not going to attempt to get a spare as it's pre-2006.
My question is - is there any reason why I shouldn't disconnect the brake completely? The motor is working nicely, in both directions.
It's so highly geared that the chain would never rotate it and anyway, once it's either down or all in, the chain will be locked off.
I'm assuming that the brake is for safety so that it stops dead when power is removed. However, it certainly stops pretty instantly when it's switched off, without the brake.
Any other reasons for having the brake?

I suspect that any load on the chain will mean that the motor will turn, so if single handed it may be a nuisance. EYE marine / BGD in Essex? are distributors for south pacific windlasses who have been very helpful in the past when I've had problems with the gearbox on mine.

 

[ash2020]

I have a vertical SouthPacific. No problems so far, but I have used their website to download a parts list and exploded view of the box. Also, I think a year or so ago, I emailed them and got a quick reply.

Sorry, but I can't comment on whether the brake is really needed.
Good luck.

Thanks. Yes, I have that parts list too. I will try emailing.

 

[ash2020]

In case you forget to lock of the chain.

I recall a member here, about 10 years ago, admitting to having dropped all his rode and a Spade anchor off, I think the Needles, on his was to the Med - slightly embarrassing I imagine - as he had not secured the bitter end. Clutches also slip

Our memories are fallible and deck hands are not the quality they used to be in the past.

Jonathan

Thanks. I'm a bit OCD about locking the chain etc. so there's not much chance of that. I'm the only one that ever handles the anchor too.

 

[ash2020]

I suspect that any load on the chain will mean that the motor will turn, so if single handed it may be a nuisance. EYE marine / BGD in Essex? are distributors for south pacific windlasses who have been very helpful in the past when I've had problems with the gearbox on mine.

I can't turn the gypsy without a winch handle because it's so highly geared. Thanks for the link. I'll see what a new brake would cost. It's more about the time because we're in the final stages of a winter refit and about to launch. It's a devil of a job to remove the windlass so I don't want to do it again.

 

[ash2020]

I suspect that any load on the chain will mean that the motor will turn, so if single handed it may be a nuisance. EYE marine / BGD in Essex? are distributors for south pacific windlasses who have been very helpful in the past when I've had problems with the gearbox on mine.

Fantastic! I called Eye Marine and they have some on the shelf. They are sending one out today for £30. Sadly, they are no longer distributors.